Im planning to visit Phillipines for a year like Balikbayan; Do I need to buy two way tickets?

Question

I want to go to Phillipines at least for a year. Im a US citizen entering like Balikbayan but Im not sure if I need to buy a Two Way Fly tickets to show to inmigration at the airport or if its Ok to buy One Way and later buy the other ticket to go back to US.

I dont want to get in trouble with inmigration. Its too expense for me to buy the Two Way Tickets at the time but from now to few months I can have enough to buy the return ticket. (I have a family emergency).

Any help will be appreciate. Thank you!

Answer 1

From what I know you do not need to have to show a return ticket back to the states and for as long as your passport don't expire before you depart from Manila.  However I suggest that you ask your travel agent or the airline from which you will buy your ticket prior to departure just to be sure or call the local Philippine Consulate in your area.  You can also call the Bureau of Immigration here in Manila their number is

[phone] or check the website at http://immigration.gov.ph

Should it will be required, purchase an open dated return ticket.

Answer 2

You will need to show immigration there that you have proof of a return ticket otherwise they will not let you in the country. Also if you aren't a citizen then you can't stay for that long. Even extending your visa will get you just afew months. If its a real family emergency then send money to fix the problem to someone you trust there. If you can't afford the tickets then you can't go. Best of luck

Answer 3

Hi. No its not neccessary to buy two way tickets always, not buying two way tickets can make u illegal immigrant, or any chance of ur being left in that country. So you can buy only one ticket at a time and can buy return ticket anytime u want to when u get a better deal.

regards

Peter ale

Travel consultant at http://www.moneybulls.com/travels.htm

(A travel portal for searching and comparing lowest airfare deals online)

Answer 4

You don't need a round-trip ticket (unless you could get a good bargain) but you need an unexpired passport.

Answer 5

I presume you mean you are a former Filipino citizen or are married to and entering the Philippines at the same time as a former Filipino citizen.

If so, you will be granted a Balikbayan stamp that will allow you to stay in the Philippines for a year without a visa.

As a Balikbayan, you do not require an onward ticket. However, the Philippines has a policy that all tourists entering the Philippines require an onward ticket to another country or a return ticket to your home country.

As your airline is unable to determine your Balikbayan status and is required to return you to your home country if you are refused entry, many airlines will make you have a return ticket or onward ticket anyway before boarding.

Here are a few other things to think about.

- One way tickets are not half the price of a return ticket. In many cases one way and return are close to the same cost

- You will be returning in a year anyway, might as well buy a one year ticket.

- The requirement is for an onward ticket, not a return ticket. This means you could buy a cheap ferry ticket from Mindanao to Malaysia. If you need more information on this option, contact me through my website.

If you are not a Balikbayan, you can still stay in the Philippines for up to 2 years as a tourist. In reality, most foreigners will only get 1 year and 4 months as a tourist. You need a good reason to stay the last 8 months.

If you do enter as a tourist, you will definitely have to be holding a return ticket or an onward ticket.

For more information on tourist visa, see my website here:

http://www.bigjimsphilippinesexperience....

I hope this helps!

Regards: Jim Sibbick